The young Pakistani man crossed the world to Newcastle six months ago, embracing all that the region had to offer: he joined a cricket club, knuckled down in his studies at the University of Newcastle and enjoyed day trips in the picturesque Hunter Valley.

The 23-year-old's Australian adventure turned to tragedy on Sunday night, after he was swept away in rough surf at Nobbys Beach.

Authorities now fear the worst for Mr Awan, who was last seen taking photographs with a friend in the rock-ringed area known as Soldiers Baths, at the southern edge of the beach.

With an extensive search effort between Nobbys and Dudley beaches yet to find Mr Awan on Monday, senior police now describe the operation as a "retrieval", and have notified the High Commission for Pakistan as the search enters its third day.

A group of Mr Awan's devastated friends were gathered at Nobbys on Monday afternoon as emergency services desperately scoured the water in front of them.

They said they prayed for their friend to be found safe.

"We still have hope," said Bilal Akram, who played alongside Mr Awan at the Birmingham Gardens Cricket Club.

"He's a really lovely, friendly guy - we need to find him and pray that he is found."

Mudasar Zahid came to admire Mr Awan over a short period of time and said the 23-year-old business student was respected by many for his friendship and intelligence.